Making meals for your baby by using a combination of ingredients you have on hand, or have already prepared for a meal is quick and simple. It's so easy to feed your baby nutritious meals all in one bowl. Give these ideas a try and you should save time and gain some nutrition for your baby. Please keep in mind that your baby should only be offered ingredients that are soft, easily mashed and age appropriate for YOUR baby.

Combine ingredients and blend until smooth or chop for those who are accustomed to more textures.

Elaine’s Jasmine Rice (6mos and up)
You can add meats and veggies to this rice dish and serve as a meal for baby. It will also puree well. This recipe makes a traditional congee. It will be soupy so when you read that it calls for 12 cups of broth/stock, you have read correctly and there is no error in measurements.

1. Combine 12 cups of chicken or vegetable broth with 1 1/2 cups of jasmine rice in a large stockpot.
2. Add a couple of slices of fresh peeled ginger for extra flavor. (Ginger is a natural tummy soother)
3. Bring to a boil.
4. Turn heat down to a simmer and cook for about 1 1/2 hours or until rice turns very smooth and creamy. Stir occasionally.
5. The rice will break up to a porridge-like consistency.
6. Cool the mixture, remove the ginger slices and spoon rice into ice cube trays and freeze overnight then break cubes into freezer bags and store in freezer for up to 2 months.

This will freeze well - if you freeze it in portions without additions such as meats or veggies, then you can change the dish at every meal.

1. Cook whole wheat or plain egg noodles according to package directions.**
2. In a small saucepan combine fresh or frozen peas, small pieces of chopped
carrot, and small slices of celery.
3. Add enough water to cover. Cook until tender, reserve water.
4. In blender or food processor, combine small pieces of fully cooked beef, vegetables, noodles, and add in 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste. (Tomato paste is optional and should be left out for babies under 10 months old - using milk and butter will make this a creamy mix in place of the tomato paste. You may also use a natural or salt free broth)
5. Puree, until the mixture is the desired consistency, for smaller babies or chop as needed for the older/toddler baby.

**You may use cooked rice or shaped pasta in place of the noodles

Rice and Lentil Dinner

Ingredients:

Brown rice
Lentils
Apples
Carrots
Onions

Directions:

1. Cook brown rice and lentils, according to package directions. I make 2 cups rice and 2 cups lentils for this recipe - with 3 apples and 4 carrots
2. In a small saucepan combine small pieces of chopped apples and carrots. (you may also add a bit of onion and celery)
3. Add enough water to just cover. Cook until tender, reserving water.
4. Combine rice, lentils, apples, and carrots in food processor or blender.
5. Pulse and/or puree, adding reserved cooking water from the carrots and apple, until the mixture is the desired consistency, for smaller babies or chop as needed for the older/toddler baby.

** If you are making a big batch, you will need more apples and carrots. For example, 3 apples and 4 carrots for 2 cups rice & lentils tends to work well.

Spring Veggies and Pasta

Ingredients

Elbow macaroni or ditalini pasta

1. Cook elbow macaroni or ditalini according to package directions.**
2. In a small saucepan combine small pieces of chopped carrots, fresh or frozen peas, fresh or frozen green beans, zucchini or summer squash and fresh or frozen spinach.
3. Add just enough water to cover. Cook until vegetables are tender, reserving water.
4. Combine macaroni, carrots, peas, green beans, spinach, and a small chunk of soft tofu in blender or food processor. Add reserved water for pureeing until mixture is of the desired consistency.
5. Puree for smaller babies or chop as needed for the older/toddler baby.

You may use a natural chicken or vegetable stock (Visit our Homemade Stock Recipes to make your own.) as a substitute for the plain water. Using stock to cook the pasta in makes for a more flavorful dish.

Chicken Noodle Dinner

Macaroni
Carrots & Peas
Uncooked or Cooked Chicken - cubed

1. Cook elbow macaroni or ditalini according to package directions.
2. In a small saucepan combine small pieces of chopped carrots and fresh or frozen peas. If using uncooked chicken, dice into cubes and add to saucepan
3. Add just enough water to cover the veggies (and meat if cooking). Cook for 15 minutes or until chicken is done - reserve the water. You may also use a natural or salt free broth
4. In blender or food processor, combine fully cooked chicken breast pieces, carrots, peas, and macaroni. Puree, until the mixture is the desired consistency, for smaller babies or chop as needed for the older/toddler baby.

1. In a small saucepan combine small pieces of chopped carrots, diced potato and fresh or frozen peas - add cubes of raw beef if you will not be using cooked beef (you may use ground beef if desired)
2. Add enough water just to cover.
3. Cook until tender and beef is fully cooked, approx. 15 minutes - reserve liquid.
4. Combine small pieces of fully cooked beef with the potatoes, carrots, and peas
5. Puree, adding reserved water until the mixture is the desired consistency, for smaller babies or chop as needed for the older/toddler baby.

Tofu & Veggies

1/2 block of firm tofu
veggies of your choice
olive oil

1. Sauté Cubes of Tofu in Olive Oil, adding spices as you desire
2. In a small saucepan cook fresh or frozen peas (or carrots, green beans, cubes of squash) as directed or until soft and tender
3. Combine Tofu and Veggies, sprinkle with grated cheese and a dab of butter; serve warm.

Click here to print a No-ad version of the One Bowl Baby Meals Recipes page

Salt and sugar are never needed when making baby food. Omit these items, preferably at ALL times, in your baby's meals. Other spices such as cinnamon, garlic powder, pepper etc. may be introduced as early as 7 months with your pediatricians consult.